Suction nozzle



Jan. 19, 1937. I UNGHAMMAR 2,068,496 I SUCTION NOZZLE Filed May 21, 1936 ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 19,- 1937 gaosa ss SUCTION NOZZLE LizzieLinghammar, Skanninge, Sweden, assignor' to Electrolux Corporation, Dover, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application May 21, 1936, Serial No. 80,931 In Sweden January 5, 1934 4 Claims. (01. 15-155) My invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to suction nozzles for vacuum cleaners.'

Among the objects of my invention is to provide anozzle havinga mouth piece portion made of soft flexible material, in order that the mouth piece opening may conform closely to any type of surface, whether regular or irregular. An-. other object of my invention is to provide internal projections'within such a mouth piece for preventing closing of the v through under the effects of suction or of pressing the nozzle against a surface.

Further objects will be apparentfrom the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification and of which:-

Fig. 1 is a side-view, partially in cross-section, of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 1, but with the walls pressed toward each other;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the nozzle illustrating how it may be deformed to conform to an irregular surface;

Fig. 5 is a view of a nozzle shown in Fig. l, but. applied in reversed direction to a suction conduit;

Fig. 6 is a view of a second embodiment of my invention; and

a Fig. 7 is a side view of a third embodiment of my invention.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, reference character Ill designates a hollow suction conduit to one end of which is applied a nozzle in accordance with the present invention, designated generally by reference character I I. Nozzle ll includes a cylindrical portion I! which is adapted to receive and engage one end of conduit I 0. Secured to cylindrical portion I2 is a conical or funnel-shaped portion l3, which forms the mouth piece of the nozzle. Portion I3 is made of soft flexible material, such as comparatively thin soft rubber. It is usually advantageous to make portions l2 and I3 integral and of the same material, although as far as the present invention is concerned these two portions may consist of separate pieces and only the mouth piece l3 needbe of soft material.

The interior of mouth piece l3 is'provided with a plurality of inwardly extending ribs I. These ribs are integral with the mouth piece wall and serve to stiffen the walls sufllciently to prevent its collapse under the effect of sucis preferably cut at passageway -theretion, without stiffening it so much as to prevent its desired deformation.

The lower and larger end of portion l3 forms the suction. opening of the nozzle and an angle to the axis of the 5 nozzle. As shown in Fig, 1, this angle is approximately 50 degrees but it may vary within wide limits.

In operation the suction conduit I0 is connected to a vacuum cleaner unit which draws air 10 inwardly through the conduit I01 When the lower open end of the nozzle is applied toa surface, the air moving into the nozzle entrains dust and carries it to the vacuum cleaner unit. v The flexible nature of the nozzle mouth piece enables 15 it to conform closely with the surface under-' going cleaning, even though this surface is ir- I regular, and it is possible to vary the area and shape of the inlet opening by changing the pressure of the end of the nozzle against the SKY-'20 face. The low pressure existing within the nozzle mouth piece is prevented from collapsing the mouth piece due to the stiffening ribs M.

The obliquity of the end of the mouth piece enables it to be held in contact with a horizonal 25 surface while theconduit I0 is inclined, which is the most natural working position.- Also, it enables the nozzle to reach into comers.

In the event that the nozzle is pressed angularly against a surface with sufficient force to 30 deform the walls, as shown in Fig. 3, the ribs H on one side contact the other side of the mouth piece and thus prevent a complete closure of the passage through the mouth piece.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated the adaptability 5 of the nozzle to an uneven surface. Reference character H designates the nozzle in its normal shape, while reference characters Ha and llb designate the shape of the nozzle when deformed to conform with the surface. ,As shown in this 40 figure, the nozzle may be positioned substantially horizontally with the surface and then pressed against it so that the opening in the end shown in Fig. 5. In order to permit this, it is desirable that the diametral distance between the ribs ll be no less than the internal diameter of portion I! of the nozzle. As appears clearly in Fig. 1, the depth of these ribs or the amount they project inwardly decreases toward the smaller end of conical portion [3 in order that the diametral distance between the ribs may be at all places equal to or greater than the intemai diameter of portion l2. It will be understood that the internal diameter of the device is of the proper size to receive the suction conduit in either end of the same.

In the nozzle shown in Fig. 6, the edge of the mouth piece bounding the suction internal is serrated, as shown at IS in order that the nozzle shall not form too perfect a seal with the surface undergoing cleaning. If this surface is smooth, such as a hard wood floor, the resilient nature of the mouth piece might cause it to form such a perfect seal that the resulting internal suction might make it diflicult to move the nozzle over the surface. The serrations l5 assure suiiicient flow of air to prevent this.

Instead of providing a plurality of straight ribs l4, helical ribs l6 may be provided as is shown in Fig. '7.

In each of the embodiments the relation of the dimensions and spacing of the projections or ribs and the flexibility of the material of which the mouthpiece of the nozzle is made is so chosen that even if the walls are pressed together, as shown in Fig. 3, the projections prevent complete closure of the passageway through the nozzle. Consequently, due to this action of the projections, the nozzle may be squeezed, rolled or twisted into a variety of shapes without possibility of cutting off flow of air therethrough. It may even be bent laterally, that is back on itself, in order to reach otherwise inaccessible places, without closing the passage.

While I have described more or less specific embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that this has been done for purposes of illustration only and that further embodiments and modifications fall within its scope, which is to be limited only by the appended claims viewed in the light of the prior art.

What I claim is:--

1. A nozzle for a suction cleaner comprising a tubular body of soft resilient material constructed to receive the end of a suction conduit, said tubular body having one end portion funnelshaped and provided with ribs extending substantially from end to end of said funnel-shaped portion for reinforcing and preventing complete collapse of the same, said ribs being diametrically spaced in a manner to provide an opening of sufficient size to receive the suction conduit and permit reversal of the nozzle thereon, whereby either end of the tubular body may be used as a cleaning nozzle.

2. A nozzle member for a suction cleaner comprising a body at one end constructed to form a socket to receive the end of a suction conduit and having its other end formed of relatively soft resilient material and flared outwardly and provided interiorly thereof with ribs extending substantially throughout its length to reinforce and prevent complete collapse of the nozzle, said ribs being diametrically spaced to provide an opening of a size to receive the end of a suction conduit, whereby either end of the body may be used as a cleaning nozzle.

3. A suction nozzle having a funnel-shaped portion of soft resilient material, and inwardly projecting ribs in said funnel-shaped portion decreasing in the amount they project inwardly toward the smaller end of said portion.

4. A nozzle member for a suction cleaner comprising a tubular body having one end constructed as a socket to receive the end of a suction conduit and its opposite end constituting the nozzle portion proper and formed of relatively soft resilient material to facilitate manipulation and deformation thereof, the nozzle portion being gradually flared toward its suction opening and having inwardly projecting ribs extending longitudinally throughout substantially its length to reinforce and prevent complete collapse of said nozzle portion, said ribs decreasing in the amount they project inwardly of the nozzle members toward the socket end of the nozzle member.

LIZZIE LINGHAMZMAR. 

